Zambia/Barotseland: Liuwa Plain NP – Water Monitor Lizards

Exploring the spectacular Liuwa Plain we came across a giant specimen of the Water Monitor Lizard (aka Nile Monitor). Nile monitors grow from to about 120-220cm (3 ft 11 in – 7 ft 3 in) in length, the largest lizards attaining nearly 2.5m (8 ft). And the guy we saw was massive! They feed on fish, reptiles, and small birds, but occasional can even take a small baby antelope. Genetically, they are quite similar to Komodo dragons, just not so big. The one we saw was in the middle of an open grassland, quite exposed to become prayed on himself.
Maps were disabled by the visitor on this site. Click to open the map in a new window.